varment
- noun
- /ˈvɑːrmənt/
- Archaic
- He set traps around the chicken coop to catch any varment sneaking in at night.
Examples
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Old ranchers used to say a coyote was just another varment to watch out for.
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That old dog won't let a single varment onto the property.
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The varment was surprisingly fast!
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What should I do if I spot a varment in my garden?
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The farmer was frustrated when he saw a varment raiding his crops at dawn.
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To protect her garden from varments, she installed a fence and set up motion-activated lights.
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During the winter, varments often seek shelter in barns and sheds, creating a nuisance for farmers.
Synonyms
A wild animal like a fox that causes trouble for farms
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word varment is an old form of vermin, a word that originally meant 'worm' and was used for small harmful animals. So a varment means a troublesome wild animal, like one that attacks chickens or damages crops.